Punjab CM launches the second phase of the Honhar Scholarship Programme to fully fund education for 30,000 students annually for the next four years.
Punjab Government to Cover Full Educational Expenses Annually
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially launched the second phase of the Honhar Scholarship Programme, an initiative set to transform the future of 30,000 students annually by funding their education over the next four years.
Speaking at a ceremony at FAST National University of Computer and Engineering Sciences in Islamabad, the CM highlighted the government’s commitment to nurturing young talent. “This program ensures that deserving students can pursue higher education at top institutions without financial worries,” she stated. The scheme covers 100% of the educational expenses for qualified students.
Scholarship Benefits Across Punjab
The program extends its reach to students from 65 universities, 12 medical and dental colleges, and 359 colleges across Punjab. It supports 68 different disciplines, enabling students from diverse academic backgrounds to benefit.
Eligible candidates must:
- Be under 22 years old.
- Hold a domicile from Punjab.
- Have parents with a monthly income of less than Rs. 300,000.
Transparent Selection Process
To maintain fairness, the application process is managed through an online portal. A provincial-level committee, alongside institutional committees, ensures thorough scrutiny under the supervision of a steering committee chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.
Scholarships Awarded to Thousands
The program’s first phase culminated in a ceremony at the University of Punjab, where 2,473 scholarships were distributed. At the second event at FAST University Islamabad, 2,570 students from the Rawalpindi division received awards.
Key highlights include:
- UET Lahore: 1,886 students awarded scholarships.
- Public Sector Universities: 1,660 scholarships.
- Private Sector Universities: 637 scholarships.
CM Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her government’s dedication to empowering students through education, stating, “The Honhar Scholarship Programme reflects our vision to uplift Punjab’s youth and secure a brighter future for our province.”